From "Superman" to Man: A Fearless and Penetrating Discussion of America's Greatest ProblemThe first book from “a tireless champion of African history,” a novel that “challenged the theories that Blacks were inferior to whites” (New York Amsterdam News). Joel Augustus Roger’s seminal work from the Harlem Renaissance, this novel—first published in 1917—is a polemic against the ignorance that fuels racism. The central plot revolves around a train speeding to California, serviced by an African American porter named Dixon. On board is a United States senator from Oklahoma, a man obsessed by race who makes no attempts to hide his prejudice. Unable to sleep, the politician encounters Dixon in the smoking car, and thus ensues a debate about religion, science, and racial equality . . . “A bold discussion novel in which a cultured, well-travelled, black Pullman porter is drawn into a debate with a white passenger, a Southern senator, on the question of the superiority of the Anglo Saxon and the inferiority of the Negro.” —The Guardian “A genuine treasure. I still insist that From ‘Superman’ to Man is the greatest book ever written in English on the Negro by a Negro and I am glad to know that increasing thousands of black and white readers re-echo the high opinion of it which I had expressed some years ago.” —Hubert Henry Harrison “A stirring story, faithful to truth and helpful to a better understanding and feeling.” —Prof. George B. Foster, University of Chicago |
From inside the book
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Page 6
... speak Spanish, too, eh? What are you, Cuban?" “No, American, but I have been to Cuba. I learned Spanish in the Philippines." "You travelled a great deal. "Yes. It's just my luck. I returned from the Philippines in time to get a job as ...
... speak Spanish, too, eh? What are you, Cuban?" “No, American, but I have been to Cuba. I learned Spanish in the Philippines." "You travelled a great deal. "Yes. It's just my luck. I returned from the Philippines in time to get a job as ...
Page 10
... speak. I notice from your positive manner, and impatience of contradiction that you experience that indefinable feeling of superiority not only towards Negroes, but toward your white associates as well and that feeling you, yourself ...
... speak. I notice from your positive manner, and impatience of contradiction that you experience that indefinable feeling of superiority not only towards Negroes, but toward your white associates as well and that feeling you, yourself ...
Page 11
... speak about Oklahoma, and was soon talking freely. Presently he began to tell about the Negroes in his state, using words as "darkies,” “niggers,” and "coons.” Then he grew entertaining and began telling jokes about chicken-stealing ...
... speak about Oklahoma, and was soon talking freely. Presently he began to tell about the Negroes in his state, using words as "darkies,” “niggers,” and "coons.” Then he grew entertaining and began telling jokes about chicken-stealing ...
Page 15
... speaking of the human race says, 'Classifications are artificial, for nature has created neither classes, nor orders, nor families, nor kinds, nor permanent species, but only individuals.'” The senator handed back the book to Dixon ...
... speaking of the human race says, 'Classifications are artificial, for nature has created neither classes, nor orders, nor families, nor kinds, nor permanent species, but only individuals.'” The senator handed back the book to Dixon ...
Page 20
... speaking editorially of the discoveries made at Nepata by Dr. Reisner of Harvard, says—"To his amazement he found even greater treasures of the Ethiopian past. Fragment after fragment was unearthed until at least he had reconstructed ...
... speaking editorially of the discoveries made at Nepata by Dr. Reisner of Harvard, says—"To his amazement he found even greater treasures of the Ethiopian past. Fragment after fragment was unearthed until at least he had reconstructed ...
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Common terms and phrases
according added Africa American Anglo-Saxon appear asked beauty becomes began believe better blood Caucasian cause centuries certain Christianity citizens civilization color considered continued cultured difference Dixon equal Europe European exist fact feel forced give greater hair hand human hundred ignorant Indian inferiority instance Italy Jews kind laws less live look majority man's manner matter mean mind morality nature Negro never nigger North Northern objected opinion party passenger permitted persons porter prove question race racial reason regard remark replied replied Dixon respect returned seen senator similar skin slavery slaves so-called social South Southern speak spirit superior tell thing thought thousand tion took train true truth United Universal white women woman